Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 66 i Crime Monthly

Welcome to the September issue. This month, the tragic deaths of a woman and four children after a family pool party, and the fake psychic who conned women into sex work. We also look at the band manager who scammed people out of millions, and a shock arrest in a decade-old case. Plus, we talk to a former judge about the epidemic of violence against women, an ex-FBI agent on the trail of 450 serial killers, and the legendary Lynda La Plante tells us about her new memoir. There's also our round-up of all the latest crime TV, books and podcasts. Email us at Crimemonthly@bauermedia.co.uk. See you next month.…

In January 2022, John O'Keefe, 46, was found lying in deep snow outside a house in Boston, Massachusetts. Suffering from hypothermia, it was thought he had been hit by a car and left to die. Days later, his girlfriend Karen Read, 44, was charged with murder, but she denied being involved, insisting she was being framed. In July, her trial ended in deadlock and she'll be retried next year – but some believe she may be innocent. THE SUSPECT Read – an equity analyst at an investments firm – was charged with second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a collision causing death. She pleaded not guilty and was released on $50,000 bail. She claims she left John just after midnight, but when…

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Lynda La Plante CBE is a tour de force. The creative brains behind Widows and Prime Suspect may have just turned 81, but she has no intention of slowing down, with a new book series and TV idea in the works. First, though, comes her memoir, sharing all the highs and lows of her incredible life. Here, she tells us a little about what we can expect… What made you want to write your memoir now? I was asked to write it by my publisher, and I actually took some persuading. But then I thought about it and realised I have lived a long and varied life, both personally and professionally. I've been an actress; have produced, written and cast over 170 hours of television; and published over…

BOLD DRAMA Series one of Sherwood was one of the drama highlights of 2022. It explored tensions within a working-class community riven by conflict dating back to the miners’ strike in the 1980s, while also working as an engrossing crime thriller. Now, here's the second series, and it's very bit as ambitious and powerful as the first. This time, local drug gangs intersect with environmental concerns and the devastating impact of gun violence. Morrissey returns as now-ex cop Ian St Clair, who's working as the leader of a new Violence Intervention Team. The main storyline kicks off with troubled youth Ryan Bottomley (Oliver Huntingdon) and a shocking moment of violence. His adoptive mother Pam (Sharlene Whyte) and her brother Dennis (David Harewood) are soon swept up in the fallout of…

The Black Loch PETERMAY (RIVERRUN, £22) When teenager Caitlin is found dead by the Black Loch, detective Fin Macleod finds himself dragged back to the Hebrides as his son becomes the prime suspect. Can he overcome his demons to clear his son's name? Chilling. What A Way To Go BELLAMACKIE (THE BOROUGHPRESS, £20) Anthony Wistern has more than most people can dream of – a beautiful wife and kids, a French chateau, a Cotswold manor, and money in the bank. So, when he dies, everyone is under suspicion. Delicious. A Killer Of Influence J D KIRK (CANELO, £14.99) In the Scottish Highlands, eight social media influencers have gone missing. The next time they're seen online, they are captive – and being forced to compete just to stay alive. It's up…

CRIMEscreen As the name suggests, this magazine has officially launched its own podcast. Available wherever you get your pods from Tuesday 3 September, Crime Monthly Presents: Evil Uncovered draws from our archives to bring to life 24 tales of true-life terror that shocked the world. Each of the eight episodes features three gripping cases, exploring a range of chilling themes. “Monster Messiahs” examines cult leaders with sinister motives, while “Killer Teens” delves into disturbing crimes committed by young offenders. “Secrets And Lies” uncovers the dangerous consequences of deceit that led to murder, and “Killer In The Family ” reveals the dark side of familial relationships, where trust was fatally broken. Opening episode “Hitchhiker Horrors” explores some of the most notorious roadside abductions in history. Focusing on Co-Ed Killer Ed Kemper,…

In the news W hen 22-yearold Katelyn Markham went missing from her home in Fairfield, Ohio, in August 2011, the case struck a chord so deep that people from all over the US came together to try and find her. Members of the public journeyed hundreds of miles to join one of the many searches for the sunny and joy-filled graphic arts student. On the evening of 13 August, the town had been awash with smiling faces and fun seekers attending the Sacred Heart Festival. The unusually busy period for the town filled it with strangers, which was why Katelyn's fiancé John Carter was so concerned about not being able to reach his partner. In a distressed 911 call on 14 August, he said, “My name is John Carter… I…

UK: Under existing UK laws, child influencers have no rights as they are underage. Recently, there has been discussion over laws to prevent child exploitation by parents online. AMERICA: In Illinois, since 1 July this year, parents must compensate their children for video content, putting 50 per cent of profits into a trust fund for access at 18. California and Washington are pushing through similar laws. FRANCE: Since 2020, kid influencing is classed as child labour in a new “exploitation of the image of children on online platforms” law, and earnings made must be given to them at 16. They also have the “right to be forgotten”, whereby platforms must permanently delete childhood posts if requested.…

Gary Oldman pulls on his best stained slacks and worn-out blazer to return as schlubby spook Jackson Lamb in a fourth run of the brilliant espionage thriller. Once again, Lamb is the dysfunctional father figure for the shower of MI5 misfits and failures banished to Slough House (actually located near London's Barbican, fact fans). Set six months after the events of series three, River Cartwright (Jack Lowden, who was Emmy nominated for his role) is increasingly worried about his grandfather Sam “OB” (or Old Bastard) Cartwright's worsening senility. Then two things happen in fairly quick succession: a shopping centre blows up, killing multiple people, and a person who looks remarkably like River breaks into OB's home. With all the twists and turns that make this series so addictive, as well…

FIRST LOOK NETFLIX'S NEW DIPLOMATIC OFFENSIVE First-look images of the second season of Netflix's thriller series The Diplomat have been released. Keri Russell will reprise her role as Kate Wyler, the US ambassador to Britain, who – at the end of series one – realised that the UK Prime Minister was responsible for an attack on one of his own warships. Joining the cast for this new run is Oscar-winner Alison Janney (The West Wing), who will play the US Vice President. The new season will be available to stream on 31 October. JEFF BRIDGES IS STILL OLD Espionage thriller The Old Man will belatedly kick off its second season on FX this autumn. Series one was one of the TV highlights of 2022, and starred Jeff Bridges (The Big…

What was the inspiration behind your debut novel? I was inspired to write Isolation Island when I was evacuated from the I'm A Celebrity castle in North Wales during a violent storm. I'd wanted to write a thriller for years and had a character living in my imagination since 2012 – a journalist called Lauren. As I was driven away from Gwrych Castle, I knew I'd found the perfect place to send her – a reality TV show that goes disastrously wrong. What do you enjoy most about crime? Ever since I first read Agatha Christie, I've devoured crime novels. I love the twists and turns, and the brilliant puzzles. I'd dreamed for years of writing one of my own, but I never thought I'd dare, until I interviewed Jeffrey…

He's a boxing legend who's won 15 major titles at four weights, been declared the best defensive fighter of all-time with 50 wins in 50 fights, and has enjoyed a billionaire celebrity lifestyle, starring in Justin Bieber pop videos and competing on Dancing With The Stars. But Floyd May weather Jr, now 47 – the son of boxing hero Floyd Snr – had a rough start. Growing up in New Jersey, his mother was an addict and he would often find used needles around the house. Sent to live with his grandmother, Floyd Jr saw boxing as his only way out. A glittering career followed, but violence wasn't confined to the ring. In the first of an ugly series of assaults, May weather received a six-month suspended sentence and 48…

CRIME NEWS TOP STORIES FROM AROUND THE GLOBE US actor Gabriel Olds has been charged with seven counts of sexual assault, including rape, sodomy, assault and injuring a partner. US police confirmed the NCIS star, 52, was arrested last month, after a woman alleged he had raped her in her home in January 2023. Two more alleged victims then came for ward, saying their attacks dated back ten years. LAPD Detective Brent Hopkins said in a statement, “ We heard the same story again and again. Mr Olds started off charming, but then used brutal violence to carry out these rapes. Some of these survivors suffered in silence for years before finding the strength to speak up. Now that he's off the streets, we want to make sure everyone has…

After working for the FBI for 25 years, Frank Figliuzzi thought he knew everything about America's criminal underbelly. But a chance conversation with Catherine DeVane, who's led the Highway Serial Killings (HSK) Initiative for 17 years, made him realise there was a breed of predators he didn't know about terrorising the country's roads: serial killer truckers. Among those responsible for hundreds of gruesome murders over the years are Robert Ben Rhoades, known as the Truck Stop Killer, who built a torture chamber in the back of his rig to kidnap, torture, rape and kill as many as 50 suspected victims over an estimated 15 years; Dellmus Colvin –the Interstate Strangler – who confessed to killing around 52 women; and Bruce Mendenhall, aka the Rest Stop Killer, serving life for the…

CRIMEMONTHLY SERIAL KILLER SECRETS For many Californians, heading out into the picturesque mountains is the ultimate way to get away from it all. With breathtaking views, blue skies, green forests and stunning scenery, it's a chance to relax and refresh mind and body. But in the late 1970s and ’80s, those trails became a place of true terror as serial killer David Carpenter used them as his own personal hunting grounds. EARLY LIFE Born in San Francisco on 6 May 1930, Carpenter's childhood was marked by abuse and ridicule. His father Elwood was a domineering bully, who would physically abuse his wife Frances and their young son, while Frances was cold and detached. Growing up either abused or ignored, Carpenter would go on to develop a severe stammer and frequently wet…

CRIMEscreen ON THE TRAIL OF A MURDERER For most of the late ’90s and early ’00s, Elaine Antoinette Parent was one of the most-wanted women in the world. Born in 1942, police first became aware of her in 1990, after a fisherman discovered the headless body of a woman dumped in a canal on the edge of the Florida Everglades. It was later identified as that of Beverly McGowan, a 34-year-old bank clerk from Miami. The investigation eventually led police to Beverly's roommate, one Elaine Parent. What followed was a two-decades long manhunt for Parent, which revealed her to be a master identity thief who travelled the world under one of her known 150-plus aliases. This documentary speaks to law enforcement from all over the globe who were involved in the…

NEW SERIES We Solve Murders RICHARD OSMAN (VIKING, £22) With the Thursday Murder Club series selling 10 million copies globally and Stephen Spielberg adapting the first novel into a star-studded film, it's an audacious move from Osman to hit pause on the popular franchise to create some new crime-solving sleuths. Yet, he has, and the result is an equally compulsive crime caper with central characters we've grown really very fond of. A my Wheeler is a hard-as-nails private security officer who is charged with keeping world-famous author Rosie D'Antonio alive. But A my herself becomes the target of a killer, so she has to call the one man she can trust – her retired detective/widower father-in-law Steve, a creature of habit who reluctantly agrees to embark on a gun-toting global…

Paper Ghosts: The Ozarks (iHeart Podcasts) This pod charts the disappearance of 18-year-old Dana Stidham in Arkansas in 1989. Investigative journalist M William Phelps delves into her life, interviewing friends, family, and others who knew Dana that summer. Phelps even talks to suspected serial killer Larry DeWayne Hall, the subject of Apple TV drama Blackbird, who he believes could be responsible. A year after Dana went missing, the body of Shauna Garber was discovered, and now Phelps is working with local detectives to discuss the similarities between the two murders. While any podcast surrounding an unsolved case is never going to have a satisfying ending, there is a reason that this mystery has gripped the world for 35 years. This is a winding and compelling listen with a twist every…